Jenny is well qualified to teach having an honours degree in music - BMus Hons (London) - and TTCT (Dublin) - an advanced teacher's certificate awarded by the Comhaltas Ceottóirí Eirann.
On top of this she has great communication skills and bags of patience and enthusiasm!

Fiddle Workshops run in conjunction with guitarist Andy Glass.
The first of these workshops was run as a thank you to M.K. Arts Association who awarded me a grant to go to Dublin to study for a teacher's diploma in Advanced Irish Fiddle Playing (T.T.C.T - organised by Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann) . This 'one off ' event proved to be so successful that I have been running workshops on a monthly basis ever since. Early this year Andy Glass joined the team, a move which has proved highly popular as it has not only broadened the range of topics covered but also means that players of differing levels of ability can enjoy the workshops on the same day.
There are 2 groups (beginners & advanced) - half the day is spent with me learning one or two tunes from various traditions concentrating on relevant bowing techniques and ornamentation. My main interest lies in the Donegal tradition but we also cover tunes from Shetland, England, France and Cape Breton, plus Old Time American traditions etc. etc. and newly written tunes.
Tunes are learnt by ear so a tape recorder is invaluable, but sheet music is provided at the end of the day for those who want it.

The other half of the day is spent with Andy Glass who concentrates on various aspects of ensemble playing - harmony/rhythm/accompanying tunes and provides opportunity to brush up on tunes learnt at previous workshops or elsewhere.

The atmosphere at the workshops, while focused, is friendly and informal. Most people tend to go to the Barley Mow pub for lunch but please bring sandwiches if you prefer.

'Every Tuesday in term-time but please check dates below.

The evening consists of three classes and every 4th week (Please check dates below) a session in the Barley Mow

6.30pm   Beginner
7.30pm   Intermediate
8.30pm   Intermediate/ Advanced

Please contact Jenny to register your interest

This season's dates confirmed as:

September
13th - Beginners class at 7pm and then session @ Barley Mow
20th - Normal classes
27th - Normal classes
October
4th - Normal classes
11th - Beginners class at 7pm and then session @ Barley Mow
18th - Normal classes
25th - No classes - Half Term
November
1st - Normal Classes
8th - Beginners class at 7pm and then session @ Barley Mow
15th - Normal Classes
22nd - Normal Classes
29th - Normal Classes
December
6th - Normal classes
13th - Beginners class at 7pm and then session @ Barley Mow
19th - Christmas Party - The Cannon, Newport Pagnell
 

2006 Beginners class starts on Tuesday 10th January - please contact Jenny for further information.
The Intermediate and Advanced classes will be starting on Tuesday March 7th.

Class sizes are limited please contact Jenny to enrol. All tunes are learnt by ear so please bring a tape recorder (although sheet music is also provided)

The lessons take place in the meeting room at The Church of St Peter and St Paul in Cosgrove.

Jenny is available for private tuition and currently has students of all ages, from beginner to advanced level.
Jenny hopes to be available for private lessons throughout the summer. Please contact Jenny to discuss your requirements.

"The Big Fiddle Band is a project which has emerged from the Cosgrove Fiddle Workshops. Consisting of between 20 and 30 fiddlers of varying ability and ages playing arrangements of tunes from Shetland, Sweden, England, Ireland and the Ukraine - All tunes and harmonies are learnt and performed by ear. The BFB has performed in various venues around the Milton Keynes area, including the M.K. International Festival and Stony Stratford's 'Folk On The Green' festival. 'Shetland Young Tradition' watch your backs - Milton Keynes is on the map!!"

Some of the BFB members in action at the launch of the 3sticks album. December 2001.


Download the following music files

1. Bourees (820Kb)
2. Shetland March (950Kb)
3. Bourees (750Kb)

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The kids workshops are temporarily on hold. Please register your interest with Jenny to be kept up to date with any developments.

"Thanks for a really super day, yesterday. If you could just organise the homeward traffic for us next time, we'd appreciate it!! It took two and a half hours to get home. Never mind it was worth it for such an enjoyable day - lovely bunch of people."

"One and a half years ago when I first started your classes, I bought the Fiddlesticks CD and heard 'Gravel Walks' for the first time. I never, ever thought I would ever get to play such a wonderful tune - it seemed impossible! Even though we played it about half speed on Sunday, it was still thrilling to me to have it in my head and be able to play it."

"Just to say a big thank you for being such a great teacher and a wonderful inspiration! I'm very grateful to you and hope to have many more lessons."